Category: Newcastle News

The NSW Police Force is aware of a public assembly being conducted on, and in the vicinity of, the Port of Newcastle from 19 to 26 November 2024.

The NSWPF acknowledges the right to free speech and political demonstration and routinely facilitates public assemblies across the state, where it is safe to do so.

On Thursday 7 November 2024, the Supreme Court validated the NSW Police Force’s concerns about the safety of the assembly, by prohibiting both the water and land component of the public assembly.

The local council have permitted the public assembly to occur on their land at Foreshore Park. In response to the assembly, a high-visibility police operation is underway to ensure the safety of participants, the community, and users of the Port of Newcastle.

For their own safety and that of the other users of the Port, we request that people who still attend this event refrain from entering the harbour on kayaks or other vessels with the intention to obstruct other users of the Port, or engage in other forms of civil disobedience. We also encourage all participants to follow the directions of police.

The community is reminded that under NSW Legislation, the safe passage of vessels is protected. Unlawful activity may result in fines or imprisonment.

The NSW Police Force will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to actions which threaten public safety and the safe passage of vessels.

Again, the NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the priority for NSW Police is always the safety of the wider community and there will be zero tolerance for illegal and dangerous behaviour.

Following a further meeting with Rising Tide, I have negotiated a compromise outcome for the Protestival event set to be staged this week at Camp Shortland.

Under a negotiated compromise with Rising Tide, the event will no longer be staged at Camp Shortland. This is because Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has written to City of Newcastle stating it requires unhindered access to Horseshoe Beach via the carpark. 

The community may be unaware that both the carpark and beach are owned by the NSW Government, and therefore we must respect their position as the landowner.  

TfNSW has also stated it will not permit any activities related to the Rising Tide event taking place on the northern end of Camp Shortland that abuts Horseshoe Beach, which is also owned by TfNSW.

In light of this restriction, the section of Camp Shortland under the care and control of City of Newcastle is not large enough to safely enable the Rising Tide event to proceed, especially over the concert days of Friday and Saturday.

Instead Rising Tide have agreed to relocate their event to Foreshore Park. They have also agreed to limit the size of the event to 5,000 people at any time, and no more than 500 people camping in the park overnight. I have also told them they must not allow marine vessels such as kayaks or canoes within Foreshore Park.

Rising Tide committed to me that they would direct people to follow police directions and would warn participants of the consequences of likely arrest if they do not obey police. And critically, Rising Tide committed to discouraging people from disruptive activities away from the harbour such as stopping coal trains.

I will also be writing to residents nearby to Foreshore Park explaining to them the change in location from Camp Shortland. I will explain the situation we as a community find ourselves in. It is a fact that this event will be occurring with or without my approval. 

Arguably it will be a safer event with appropriate controls in place by providing a licence for the event. Further, I have explained that I believe that raising the issue of climate change is one that enjoys widespread support within the Newcastle community, and it is fair and reasonable that people have an opportunity to express their concerns through peaceful protest.

Two people have been charged over the alleged fatal stabbing of a man in Newcastle at the weekend.

Emergency services had been called to Beaumont Street, Hamilton, about 2.40am Sunday (17 November 2024), and found a 22-year-old man suffering multiple stab wounds. He died in hospital at short time later.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation under Strike Force Mannum, with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Following inquiries, a 27-year-old man was arrested at Waratah Police Station about 11am yesterday (Monday 18 November 2024).

The man, from North Lambton, has now been charged with murder and has been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court later today.

About 5:10pm yesterday, a 33-year-old woman was arrested at a bus stop at Bankstown.

She was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with murder and has been refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court today.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the state’s Hunter Region.

Gavin Moresby-White, aged 68, was last seen on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal – 50km west of Muswellbrook – about 10.30am on Tuesday 29 October 2024.

When concerns were raised for his welfare on Friday 15 November 2024, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for Gavin as his disappearance is out of character.

Gavin is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with medium build, and balding with white hair.

He is known to drive a Toyota Camry with QLD plates 859MHT, which was found by police on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts or dashcam footage is urged to call Hunter Valley police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has died following a stabbing in Newcastle this morning.

About 2.40am (Sunday 17 November 2024), emergency services were called to Beaumont Street, Hamilton, following reports of a stabbing.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and found a man, believed to be aged in his 20s, with stab wounds.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man before he was taken to hospital, where he later died.

The man is yet to be formally identified.

Police have established a crime scene and commenced an investigation, with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Beaumont Street is closed between Tudor and Donald Street, with motorists and pedestrians advised to avoid the area.

Anyone with information about the incident, was in the area at the time – or has dash cam or mobile phone footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the Hunter Valley.

Emmerson Price, aged 14, was last seen in Abermain about 1am on Sunday 10 November 2024.

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified on Tuesday (12 November 2024) and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Emmerson’s welfare due to her age.

Emmerson is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150 to 170cm tall with a medium build, blonde hair and has a septum (nose) piercing.

She is known to frequent the Abermain, Rutherford, Maitland, Broken Hill and East Branxton areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Hunter Valley Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The unveiling of a giant present in Hunter Street Mall has heralded the start of festive fun as City of Newcastle kicks off its annual Christmas activities for the community.

At two metres high and two metres wide, the gift will light up the Market Street steps until Boxing Day and will be large enough for a group photo with family, friends or co-workers to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit.

Making it even more unique and sustainable, the present was constructed using original cedar boards recovered from a 140-year-old house in Carrington and will be wrapped in artwork by prominent local artist Mitch Revs.

The festivities will also get underway at Wheeler Place next week with the installation of City of Newcastle’s 12.5-metre Christmas tree, before Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge joins Santa Claus to officially switch on the lights on 29 November.

Father Christmas will then be available for photos every Friday and Sunday until 15 December, accompanied by more than just reindeer, with local schools, community groups and professional performers providing live musical numbers during the Santa Selfie sessions.

The Newcastle Youth Orchestra will headline a special performance on 13 December, featuring instrumental ensembles, and emerging local vocalists leading traditional Christmas carols.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director Creative and Community Services Alissa Jones said this year’s festive season is a celebration of everything local.

“We want to encourage everyone to be part of the fun and support local businesses in the city,” Ms Jones said.

“Our Christmas display will feature a ‘Santa’s Shopping List’ that will highlight special offers from participating businesses.

“A spend-to-win competition will be run in collaboration with the Newcastle Business Improvement Association to give shoppers the chance to win a ‘Staycation Package,’ which includes a Civic Theatre Gift Voucher and accommodation at Quest Apartments.

“Santa’s sleigh will be part of the display in Wheeler Place so families can take photos and even attach their pets to the sleigh for a fun pet ‘pawtrait’.

“We’ll also have an interactive craft table where visitors can write letters to Santa, which they can post at an on-site mailbox.”

To find out more visit City of Newcastle’s What’s On website: https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/christmas24

A man has been charged following a fatal two-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter Region earlier this year.

About 3.45pm on Monday 5 August 2024, emergency services responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash on Cessnock Road, Gillieston Heights, approximately 5km south of Maitland.

Officers attached to Port Stephens – Hunter Police District attended and found a Nissan Patrol and an Isuzu truck had collided.

The driver of the Nissan patrol – a 31-year-old man – died at the scene.

The passenger – a 30-year-old woman – sustained minor injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

The driver of the truck – a 34-year-old man – sustained serious leg and spinal injuries. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

A crime scene was later examined by specialist police attached to the Crash Investigation Unit.

Following inquiries, on Thursday 14 November 2024, the 34-year-old man was charged with dangerous driving occasion death – drive manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasioning death), not keep left of driving line-not class B/C vehicle, drive licence suspended under section 66 Fines Act and possess prohibited drug.

He will appear before Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 15 January 2025.

City of Newcastle notes the ruling of the NSW Supreme Court last Thursday regarding a planned protest on Newcastle Harbour and at Camp Shortland.

City of Newcastle has received independent legal advice confirming that City of Newcastle’s authority to issue a permit for the event on its land at Camp Shortland does not impact the ability of NSW Police to exercise their powers of arrest for any offences. 

Rising Tide organisers met with Lord Mayor Councillor Dr Ross Kerridge on Tuesday and provided the Lord Mayor reassurance that they intend to hold a peaceful event at Camp Shortland. They committed to taking action to focus on safety and obeying police.

Dr Ross Kerridge said that he attended last year’s Rising Tide event and was impressed by the professionalism of the organisers and their commitment to ensuring a safe event with a focus on climate change.

“I have today provided my formal support for the Rising Tide event occurring at Camp Shortland. I did however stress my expectation that the event organisers take all reasonable efforts to ensure that any closure of the harbour is for the briefest possible time,” the Lord Mayor said. 

“As a result of our meeting and my request, the Rising Tide organisers provided me with a written commitment to use their best endeavours to ensure all participants obey police directions.

“Specifically, this includes directing people to remain close to the shore and not enter the shipping channel, nor make movements that suggest they are attempting to get into the channel. 

“Rising Tide also committed to me they would direct people to follow police directions, and would warn participants of the consequences of likely arrest if they do not obey police.

“Lastly, Rising Tide committed to discouraging people from disruptive activities away from the harbour such as stopping coal trains.

“City of Newcastle received 123 submissions on Rising Tide’s request to hold an event at Camp Shortland. Almost 75% of these submissions were supportive of the event occurring. 

“I also encourage everyone attending the event to look after the sensitive coastal environment at Camp Shortland and respect residents and visitors in the vicinity of the event.”